The beginning of September was an exciting time for me! I was able to go on a missions trip with my home church to Honduras. We visited a missionary that we have been supporting for a while. He has started a church in Tegucigalpa, the capitol. Please pray for Honduras and their current political troubles. Due to the unrest, we were not able to participate in door to door evangelism or any kind of public outreach; however, we were given the opportunity to hold a one day vacation Bible school. There were about 40 children that showed up praise the Lord! We also painted the missionary’s house, built a pavilion for where the children meet for backyard Bible school and walls at the church to give them more Sunday School rooms. I thank the Lord for His protection.

I was privileged to be invited to Bible Baptist Church by Pastor Schwartz to present my burden and call to the Philippines. It was a very special meeting since this was the first time Elizabeth was able to join me. I preached during Sunday School and showed my presentation during the Sunday morning service. After the morning service, I along with the Troyers were invited to join Pastor Schwartz and his family for lunch at their home. Since the Troyers are only about 20 minutes away from the church, Elizabeth and her younger brother Sam were able to stay for the Sunday evening service. Pastor Schwartz made sure that Elizabeth and I did a special together before I preached. They were so nice that they took a special love offering for Elizabeth to help in our upcoming wedding. I had a great time and I cannot wait till we get married and start full time deputation together.

Pastor and Mrs. Troyer along with Elizabeth was able to visit our church, Faith Bible Baptist Church in Eden, NY. Ever since we started courting my home church has wanted to meet Elizabeth and get to know her better. This is the first time my schedule and the Troyers have worked out for us to do that. They were able to come on Saturday and they stayed with us all day Sunday for our services. We had a wonderful time together! My church really enjoyed getting to meet her. Also since they came on Saturday we were able to go to the Erie County Fair. Elizabeth and I were able to participate in passing out several smiley tracts at the Amazing Grace Missions booth that our church partners in spreading the gospel at the fair. This year there were over 150 decisions for Christ. Please pray that they will grow in grace in a local Bible Believing Baptist Church.

This year I was able to attend a couple of the evenings services at the annual tent meeting that Old Time Baptist Church hosted. I had a good time hearing the Word of God being preached by the Holy Spirit through the different men that spoke. I was challenged to redeem the time and to keep keeping on. I looked at some of the seasoned preachers and how they have been faithful throughout the years by God’s grace and I know I can be faithful like them if I keep close to my blessed Lord. I was also privileged to have meet Pastor Ed Lorena of San Pedro, Laguna Philippines. The Lord has intrusted him as the undershepherd of a great work. The church that he pastors runs about 3,000 in attendance weekly and is heavily involved in local and worldwide evangelism. I was able to talk to him during some of the meal times and asked him several questions about the Lord’s work in the Philippines. I was blessed to have learned several valuable things that will help me when I get to the Philippines. The Lord is so good to put people in your lives at the time that you need them. Praise His Holy name!

Meet Chris & Elizabeth

Chris Baran is a missionary living in Cebu, Philippines. He and his family have been serving the Lord at North Cebu Baptist Church for six years now.
They have three children; Abigail who is 7, Micah age 5, and their new baby, Philip. This blog is a journal of all their adventures as they live in a foreign country.

In Other Words…

Can the life of a missionary ever be described as boring? This blog is all about our daily adventures living in a Third World country. Here you can follow our adjustments, our ministry updates, & our family fun as we serve the Lord in Cebu. Our prayer is that you would be inspired to pray for us and encouraged to be a light in your community too!